A Blessed Thanksgiving 2024

Wishing a blessed Thanksgiving to all the believers who are taking this day to remember God's great lovingkindness and many benefits.

Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 

Worth Repeating - Mom's Collection - My Wish

This post was originally posted here on Jan. 3, 2016. As I was searching for something to post once again for the first Sunday of the year it seemed fitting to use this one as it came from my mom's collection and she has been on my mind so much lately. This poem is also especially appropriate for this new year in particular since we all need these things so much as we face an uncertain future. I hope it blesses you (perhaps again), as it did me. 

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As I was thinking and asking the Lord what to post for the first Sunday of the year, the thought came to look at some of the pieces from Mom’s collection.  This poem was right on top and it is so lovely and grand I knew it was the right one!  May God grant you these things, dear ones in Christ, as we go into this new year.

My Wish

I wish thee Joy!
…much joy around this season;
Not “joys” but Joy, – joy deep and strong and true;
Joy, – inward joy, since surely heart hath reason
To taste much joy where He hath made things new.

I wish thee peace!
…the peace of sins all taken,
All washed away through Christ’s atoning blood;
The peace that rests, untroubled and unshaken,
Since God’s redeeming grace is understood.

I wish thee gladness!
…gladness deep abiding,
Which comes when eyes of faith behold the Lord;
The gladness of a prayerful heart – confiding,
And daily dwelling on God’s precious Word.

I wish thee well!
…in all life’s undertakings!
”God bless thee much!” – this is my heart’s request;
E’en now my heart this simple plea is making:
”God bless thy life, and send thee what is best!”

I wish thee sunshine!
…that of Christ’s dear presence, –
His inward presence, – with thee all the way!
His smile; His love; His joy; Himself; glad sunshine!
Till, in His presence, breaks that Endless Day!

- by J. Danson Smith

Colossians 1:9-14  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

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 [Photo: Kingston, Tenn. circa 2006]
First published Jan. 3, 2016

A Blessed Thanksgiving!

Psalm 107:21-22 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. 

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

How blessèd to enjoy the gift,

To taste of mercy here below;

In humble thankfulness to lift

Our hearts to Him whom now we know.

To know His love, how great it is,

To own and feel that we are His.

T. Kelly

Lord of glory, we adore Thee!

Christ of God, ascended high!

Heart and soul we bow before Thee,

Glorious now beyond the sky:

Thee we worship,

Thee we praise—

Excellent in all Thy ways.

Richard Holden

Happy Floral Watercolor Greeting Cards Tutorial

Here is a tutorial for some bright cheerful floral cards from Sandy Allnock. You do not have to use the same greeting stamps that she did. You could use whatever you already have, or you could hand letter them with black pen or ink after you paint them. By the way, the flowers she calls snapdragons look more like celosia (cock's comb) or astilbe to me.

Super Easy Watercolor Greeting Cards Tutorial

This tutorial from K Werner Design is for a couple of easy watercolor cards. Aside from the watercolor paper, she really doesn't use any fancy products that you can't make do with simpler things. Watercolor paper is recommended, though. I will say that. I tried to paint on ordinary paper years ago and it didn't go well. But, you can try it if you like. :-)




These don't have to be "thank you" cards. You can put any greeting on them that you like. If you don't want to mess them up, put the greeting on a separate piece of white card stock and then glue it on. These are simple backgrounds that can be use a variety of ways, and you could also fold the cards from the side rather than the top.

Beginner Watercolor Greeting Card Tutorial

Here is a tutorial for a simple watercolor card done by Sharon Cullen. One way to make this easier would be to use watercolor greeting cards that are already pre-cut and folded and just paint directly onto the card, skipping the torn edge look. Also, you could do this with cheap watercolor paints and still get an acceptable result. Be adventuresome and mix your colors for more interest.

This project is easy enough that some kids would enjoy trying it. If you don't have a stamp to use for the greeting on the front, these cards will look pretty without, or you can write one on a bit of card stock and glue it on the front.

As I like to mention as a reminder - I do not have any control over the ads that may show up on these videos, or over the "suggested" links offered at the end. :-)

Thanksgiving

 Psalm 92:1-5 

 A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. 

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. 

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Vintage graphic source.

Thanksgiving Greetings 2017

Thank and Praise Jehovah's Name

Thank and Praise Jehovah’s Name;
For His mercies, firm and sure,
From eternity the same
To eternity endure.

Let the ransomed thus rejoice,
Gathered out of every land,
As the people of His choice,
Plucked from the destroyer’s hand.

Let the elders praise the Lord,
Him let all the people praise,
When they meet with one accord,
In His courts on holy days.

Praise Him, ye who know His love;
Praise Him from the depths beneath;
Praise Him in the heights above;
Praise your Maker all that breathe.

For His truth and mercy stand,
Past, and present, and to be,
Like the years of His right hand—
Like His own eternity.

- James Mountain

Revelation 7:11-12  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

A Psalm of Praise and Thanksgiving

Psalms 100:1-5

A Psalm of praise.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God:
it is he that hath made us,
and not we ourselves; we are his people,
and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good;
his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

Mother’s Day – Something from the Past

(Originally published May 7, 2011. Edited.)

Here is a picture of my mom learning to be a mom from her mom.  I love this picture. :-)  It was taken in East Africa where my mother and her brothers were born and mostly raised.  This was how the African women carried their babies. 

I don’t think Gramma normally carried her babies this way, but it is a sweet picture, and she taught my mom a lot about taking care of babies over the years! :-)  She was a huge help with my youngest brother and sister, especially since we lived closer to her when they were small.

One of my earliest memories is being in Ethiopia and sitting with my mom while she wrote to her mom.  I was filling a piece of paper with scribbles and wanted Mom to send it to Gramma.  She couldn’t because she was using an air form and wasn’t allowed to enclose anything.  Interestingly enough, I always enjoyed corresponding with people by mail.  I think that love was passed on to me from this early experience and the “specialness” that was conveyed to my thinking of my mom receiving and sending letters to Gramma who was far away. :-)

I thank the Lord for my mother!  She has been a tremendous blessing in my life.  She has prayed so much for me and been such an encourager.  She also is a close and dear friend.

My Gramma was also a dear friend as well as a helpful grandmother and mentor.  She made time for me and we talked about so many things.  I value that very much.  I love and miss her and look forward to seeing her again soon in Heaven!

God bless the mothers and grandmothers who strive to instill in their children and grandchildren a love for the Lord and His word!  God bless the aunts and sisters, and all the "mothering" ladies who do this!

Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness…28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Card Making: The Edible Cookie Card

Since my dad's birthday is this coming up I thought it would be fun to share a card my mom made for him some years back.

Mom and I made Dark Pfeffernusse for my dad for his birthday that year.  It is his favorite cookie of all time.  It is also connected with his Mennonite background, so it has fond memories for him as well. While we were making them, somehow the idea came up that Mom should make letters to spell "I love you!" to make him a special "greeting card."  :-)  We baked them and they were stored at my house so that Daddy wouldn't stumble across them before his birthday.

You might be able to do this with peanut butter cookie dough, but it needs to be something that doesn't rise or spread a lot while baking.

To make the card, we covered a piece of sturdy cardboard with foil and then Mom "glued" the cookies to it with some plain white icing.

I made a little card for her to add using one of my own designs made on the computer (with one of my own photos), and she added a card with her signature.

As you can see from this picture, my dad quite liked his card.  Who wouldn't like an edible birthday card made with one's favorite cookies?  Haha!  :-)

Card Making: Save the Used Christmas Cards

I like card making.  I haven't done nearly enough of it for a long time now, so this year I want to try to get back to it.  It is very enjoyable and refreshes my creativity, I think. :-)  Plus, they don't have to take very long and when you're done you have a handmade card to give someone.

Since we're just past the holiday season, I wanted to talk about recycling holiday cards into other greeting cards.  Even those of us who don't celebrate Christmas sometimes receive cards that are recyclable, so this applies to everyone.

First of all, check the envelope. Sometimes they are lined with really nice gold or metallic paper that can be used to cut out smaller pieces.  Also check both the envelope and the card for background prints that could be used for another purpose.  Then notice if there are features, parts of or whole pictures that you can cut out which won't be necessarily "Christmassy".

The card above is one that I made by cutting out just one section of a Christmas card and an edge.  I trimmed along the graphic to give it the flowing look and then added a strip from the edge of the card. Finally, I added hand drawn art work that would compliment the recycled graphic.  This card made a nice winter birthday card (and it was one of my favorites, too, I might add).

This card was made from a Christmas card also, as far as I can recall.  I cut out the picture of the pine trees and added it to a blue card.  The decoration along the bottom was made by cutting white paper or velum on both edges with decorative scissors.  As you can see I had a little trouble with it, but this is a recycle project, and isn't about being perfect. :-)  You can make different looks depending on where you place the scissors as you start to cut.

I also made the snow sparkle by "painting" glitter glue on just the snow areas of the picture, which you can see better in this picture.

One thing I do recommend when making cards from recycled photos is that you write on the back that it is a "recycled design."  This way people will know that you are using someone else's photography. I'd also be careful about reselling things like this.  It would be good to check about laws and rules relating to copyright before selling much like that. :-)  I'm not familiar with such things myself as I never sell my cards - so far.

In Honor of Mothers and Mothering

 

We’ve had a bit of a kerfuffle this weekend, so I’m going to share some links to some things I’ve written or posted in the past that might be a blessing to you this Mother’s Day.  :-)

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Here is a page I put together some years back – In Honor of Mothers

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A prayer for mothers: Bless the Hands and Hearts

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Mother’s Day – Something from the Past – A picture and some memories I shared a few years ago.

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One of my favorite Mother’s Day posts – Tender Strength

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I hope something here blessed you especially today.  I just want to wish the godly mothers and ladies who have helped “mother” children in any role a happy Mother’s Day! :-)

Blessings and Encouragement Along the Way

 

Last week was a hard week.  My husband has had some recent physical issues that needed addressing (still no diagnosis, we’re waiting to see how the treatment goes).  I had something going on – there was at least one migraine and then another that lasted more than one day, which may have actually been a bug of some sort.  We didn’t get to go to church fellowship at all because of various health hindrances.  I also had some struggles with my old flesh that were discouraging (Rom. 7:18-25).

But, my kind Lord blessed me in a very special way.  I received two letters and a package from ladies I know in Australia!  I met two of them online through my sister-in-law and the other through the blog or web page (though she also knows my s-i-l’s family).  Here are the lovely things I received:

Notice that all five verses on the various things are different.  Such a small thing, and yet it indicated the Lord’s attention to details in guiding their choices.  Also, that phrase from Isaiah 30:15 at the bottom of the card on the lower right is one of my favorite verses! …in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength… The two papers in the background give the definitions of our first and last names.  The letter on the right was printed on the back of such beautiful, cheerful paper!  What a great idea.  The lady who sent the card on the upper right also included some information that she thought might be helpful for one of my physical difficulties, and she wrote her short note on a separate piece of paper so that I can reuse the blank card!  Wasn’t that an nice touch?

One thing that made me feel very humble was to realize that the Lord had planned all this ahead of time for me, knowing that last week would be a hard week.  They all mailed their items before I “needed” them.  This was a real reminder to me of His faithfulness in caring for the smallest details of our lives – even when we aren’t faithful to Him always.  Now, I don’t always get some extra special blessing like this when I’m down or struggling, but our kind Father has a way of reminding us He is there and loves us and that He is FAITHFUL.  Sometimes I’m afraid we miss the reminders, but this was hard to miss. :-)

He's helping me now--this moment,
Though I may not see it or hear,
Perhaps by a friend far distant,
Perhaps by a stranger near,
Perhaps by a spoken message
Perhaps by the printed word;
In ways that I know and know not
I have the help of the Lord.

-- Annie Johnson Flint

Another thing that I can’t help noting is just how pleasant it is to get “real mail.”  It makes me happy that I’ve been encouraging just this type of behavior on the blog this year.  (See the January Challenge and February Challenge)  It makes me feel more motivated to pass on the love to someone else.  Mailing a letter or greeting card really doesn’t cost that much in the big scheme of things, but that kind touch may alter the whole course of someone’s day or week.  Remember the ripple affect.  One stone dropped in a pool can make ripples far from where the stone landed.  One kind deed done in Jesus’ name can spread joy and cheer in places you may never realize you could reach.  Let’s all be more diligent to do these small deeds of kindness – in Jesus’ name and for His glory!

Mark 9:41  For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Colossians 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Happy Anniversary!

 

Happy Anniversary to my beloved parents, Steve and Elizabeth Van Nattan! :-)  Today, through the grace of God, they celebrate 45 years of marriage.

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

They graduated from the same missionary boarding school (Rift Valley Academy in Kenya).  My dad was too prudent to let anyone know then that he was interested in her. :-)  It was not a good environment, in his opinion, to cultivate a lasting relationship.  [Daddy is on the right end in back and Mom is second from the right in front.]

Several years later, after he had graduated from college in California and Mom was attending college in Michigan, he put his belongings in his car and headed to Michigan to “try his fate.”  He told his friends, “If I come back, don’t ask any questions.  Just start looking for a job for me.”

Unbeknown to him, Mom told a friend of hers, “If ever comes here I’ll marry him!”  So, his “fate” was sealed before he ever arrived. :-)  Very shortly after he got there, she toted him off to two weddings in a row as her guest.  That was just the way it worked out, but he likes to joke that he decided he better take the hint or he would get fat going to all these weddings. :-)  [The above picture was actually taken after they were married, but you get the idea.]

They were married on October 21st, 1967.

Several years later their first “bundle of joy” arrived on the scene – which happened to be yours truly. :-)

Praise the Lord for bringing them through so many years together.  What a blessing to know that we all have eternity together in Christ!  In the spirit of yesterday’s post, I look forward to all of us being in our new bodies in the presence of our Lord, and to thanking Him in person for all the blessed things He’s done in and through them through their years.

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

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Thanks to my Uncle Jim for making these great photos available to us.

A Little Home Maker In Training

Today is my niece’s seventh birthday (on U.S. time), so I thought it would be fun to put up some pictures of her.  She is an eager learner of cooking, along with other home making skills.  These pictures were taken at various ages and stages over the last few years.

Cooking
 

Hospitality

Tea time for brother and friend.

Child Care

Housekeeping

Ironing her dolly’s clothes.

Cleaning up the kitchen with her brother, Danny, and mama.

Making Home Pleasant

 

Growing in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
 
Happy Birthday, Dolly! :-) May you be a happy little home maker to your family again this year.

Belated Happy Thanksgiving!

Greetings to all my readers this Thanksgiving weekend.  May your thoughts be focused on all the things you have to thank God for, rather than on the things of this present evil world!
Galatians 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
When I Think of Thee – by Annie Johnson Flint